Application Note: Applying the Technology of the TurboMatrix 650 ATD to the Analysis of Liquid Accelerants in Arson Investigation

2 November 2012

Prior to GC/MS analysis, fire-debris samples require sample collection and sample preparation to acquire a representative sample and transform the matrix of this sample into one which is appropriate for GC analysis. Sample preparation for GC/MS analysis is typically performed by headspace or solvent extraction. In this application note by PerkinElmer Thermal extraction combined with dynamic headspace and automated thermal desorption is shown to be a clean and sensitive sampling technique in arson investigation. The sample preparation technique described in this study eliminates the need for solvent extraction, reducing the use of carbon and eliminating solvent-disposal costs, analyst’s preparation time and solvent exposure hazard.